Car accidents, trauma and stress
Several weeks ago, I was involved in a multi-car accident. One Friday morning I left early while it was still dark and started my slippery snowy drive to work some 30 miles away. After several miles, it became more freezing rain than snow and I could see the glistening pavement ahead of me reflected by my headlights...I knew the dangers of black ice and I drove slow and avoided changing lanes or traveling close to other vehicles, etc. just in case...
I approached the overpass ramp I drove over every day, and prepared to exit. I was shocked when I rounded the bend and saw a stopped tractor trailer in front of me with several other vehicles scattered on each side. In that split second I caught a glimpse of an overturned vehicle in front of the rig. All I could think of was "Oh my God-Where do I go!" At that same moment, I realized I was on black ice. I yelled out to God as thoughts rushed through my head:
"Turning wheels steer vehicles"
"Drive the furthest to slow down the most"
"Shut off the engine as soon as you stop moving."
My car began to slide. I was headed right for the tractor trailer. I noticed there was a very narrow space between it and the guard rail to the right so I steered toward it while quickly tapping my brakes. God was with me as I managed to squeeze my SUV between the tractor trailer and the guardrail-just missing them. With my vehicle now along side the rig, I braced myself, screamed "God save me" and I applied my brakes. I came to an abrupt stop with the sound of crunching metal and plastic and for a second I sat in shivering shock quickly looking about me and out at the other vehicles involved in the accident. I immediately shut off the engine. And I cried and thanked my Lord for his divine protection...
A couple people were out in the rain running from vehicle to vehicle. I realized the big truck that was following me earlier had hit the back end of the tractor trailer. I had slid passed that very spot he now sat. I got out of my truck and with the others we went to his truck and I could see he was badly injured. I immediately started to speak calmly to him and tell him I could hear sirens in the distance. Help was on its way. I then began to pray out loud for God to be with him and everyone involved in the accident. I then went back to my truck to grab my cell phone.
Suddenly the others ran stumbling toward my truck shouting "Look out--here comes another one." Immediately, I heard scraping sounds and a loud crunch. And moments later another and yet another as vehicles piled up on the other side of the tractor trailer...Each time the tractor trailer seemed to rock a little and inch toward the side of my truck. In fact the entire road seemed to shake under me... I got away from my truck and away from the other vehicles as fast as I could.
Assistance arrived and suddenly there were people all around. I stood for a moment in the pouring rain dumbfounded. Everything seemed so surreal all around me. And suddenly I felt very cold, wet and shaky...A lady in one of the vehicles nearby asked to use my cell and I leaned over to hand it into her...She was pinned in her vehicle and required assistance to get out...After her call, I went to stand up and the next thing I realized was a sharp pain in my low back and a slight burning sensation moving into my buttocks. It seemed to intensify as I walked and I realized I needed to get some help.
I have an old back injury and physical limitations in my legs and when my back hurts, my legs often weaken significantly. I rationalized my pain to be spasms from bracing myself during the accident and then twisting to get out of my vehicle. As a pain specialist and RN, I understood the need to break the spasms as soon as possible in order to avoid muscle damage and further complications. I was taken to the hospital and treated. They confirmed my condition and medicated me. I was released home with meds prescribed to further help relieve the pain and spasms. Ice was ordered for the first 24 hours to reduce inflammation that might have occurred.
For the rest of that day and into the next morning, I stayed on the heavy meds and laid in bed giving the back a chance to relax. The next day I used the heating pad as well and by Sunday, I was improving and although not 100% recovered, I was able to get out and go to church. And I made myself go to work on that following Monday.
For someone who lived for years in the heart of the Adirondack Mountains and drove during some of the most intense winters, I have never had a major fear of driving in bad weather...until now. It has been a month since the accident...The pain, burning and tightness in my back and legs has improved. I feel this is because I obtained treatment promptly and aggressively.
The thing that distresses me most is my intense fear about driving. I also find myself now worrying about family, friends, and coworkers who I know have to drive in the bad weather. I worry something will happen to them. Although I am seeing some improvements, I still have distressing symptoms as I anticipate driving to work in the morning. I am not sleeping well. Memories of the accident still seem to replay in my mind at various times during the day and night. My chest pounds and I get anxious as I approach the site of the accident-especially when the weather is rainy and wet. I find I startle often and I cry easily.
I have shared this with others and they say it is a natural reaction to a traumatic experience. And they say it will resolve over time. I tell myself it is not good to keep thinking about the accident and I deliberately try to shift my thoughts. But I know I am not telling my heart to pound or my stomach to knot up and feel nauseated as I drive and I can't seem to stop it from happening. If it doesn't ease up, I may need to see someone. And if these symptoms continue to be significant or the symptoms increase, I may need to take some meds for a short while as I work through this. If I have to-so be it...I know I have to drive. There is no getting around it. Lord willing, I will one day be able to once again drive as needed in winter weather without the fear and dread I feel now.
Related Topics: Freeway Fright: Facing Fears Head-On, 'Healthy People' Get PTSD, Too
I approached the overpass ramp I drove over every day, and prepared to exit. I was shocked when I rounded the bend and saw a stopped tractor trailer in front of me with several other vehicles scattered on each side. In that split second I caught a glimpse of an overturned vehicle in front of the rig. All I could think of was "Oh my God-Where do I go!" At that same moment, I realized I was on black ice. I yelled out to God as thoughts rushed through my head:
"Turning wheels steer vehicles"
"Drive the furthest to slow down the most"
"Shut off the engine as soon as you stop moving."
My car began to slide. I was headed right for the tractor trailer. I noticed there was a very narrow space between it and the guard rail to the right so I steered toward it while quickly tapping my brakes. God was with me as I managed to squeeze my SUV between the tractor trailer and the guardrail-just missing them. With my vehicle now along side the rig, I braced myself, screamed "God save me" and I applied my brakes. I came to an abrupt stop with the sound of crunching metal and plastic and for a second I sat in shivering shock quickly looking about me and out at the other vehicles involved in the accident. I immediately shut off the engine. And I cried and thanked my Lord for his divine protection...
A couple people were out in the rain running from vehicle to vehicle. I realized the big truck that was following me earlier had hit the back end of the tractor trailer. I had slid passed that very spot he now sat. I got out of my truck and with the others we went to his truck and I could see he was badly injured. I immediately started to speak calmly to him and tell him I could hear sirens in the distance. Help was on its way. I then began to pray out loud for God to be with him and everyone involved in the accident. I then went back to my truck to grab my cell phone.
Suddenly the others ran stumbling toward my truck shouting "Look out--here comes another one." Immediately, I heard scraping sounds and a loud crunch. And moments later another and yet another as vehicles piled up on the other side of the tractor trailer...Each time the tractor trailer seemed to rock a little and inch toward the side of my truck. In fact the entire road seemed to shake under me... I got away from my truck and away from the other vehicles as fast as I could.
Assistance arrived and suddenly there were people all around. I stood for a moment in the pouring rain dumbfounded. Everything seemed so surreal all around me. And suddenly I felt very cold, wet and shaky...A lady in one of the vehicles nearby asked to use my cell and I leaned over to hand it into her...She was pinned in her vehicle and required assistance to get out...After her call, I went to stand up and the next thing I realized was a sharp pain in my low back and a slight burning sensation moving into my buttocks. It seemed to intensify as I walked and I realized I needed to get some help.
I have an old back injury and physical limitations in my legs and when my back hurts, my legs often weaken significantly. I rationalized my pain to be spasms from bracing myself during the accident and then twisting to get out of my vehicle. As a pain specialist and RN, I understood the need to break the spasms as soon as possible in order to avoid muscle damage and further complications. I was taken to the hospital and treated. They confirmed my condition and medicated me. I was released home with meds prescribed to further help relieve the pain and spasms. Ice was ordered for the first 24 hours to reduce inflammation that might have occurred.
For the rest of that day and into the next morning, I stayed on the heavy meds and laid in bed giving the back a chance to relax. The next day I used the heating pad as well and by Sunday, I was improving and although not 100% recovered, I was able to get out and go to church. And I made myself go to work on that following Monday.
For someone who lived for years in the heart of the Adirondack Mountains and drove during some of the most intense winters, I have never had a major fear of driving in bad weather...until now. It has been a month since the accident...The pain, burning and tightness in my back and legs has improved. I feel this is because I obtained treatment promptly and aggressively.
The thing that distresses me most is my intense fear about driving. I also find myself now worrying about family, friends, and coworkers who I know have to drive in the bad weather. I worry something will happen to them. Although I am seeing some improvements, I still have distressing symptoms as I anticipate driving to work in the morning. I am not sleeping well. Memories of the accident still seem to replay in my mind at various times during the day and night. My chest pounds and I get anxious as I approach the site of the accident-especially when the weather is rainy and wet. I find I startle often and I cry easily.
I have shared this with others and they say it is a natural reaction to a traumatic experience. And they say it will resolve over time. I tell myself it is not good to keep thinking about the accident and I deliberately try to shift my thoughts. But I know I am not telling my heart to pound or my stomach to knot up and feel nauseated as I drive and I can't seem to stop it from happening. If it doesn't ease up, I may need to see someone. And if these symptoms continue to be significant or the symptoms increase, I may need to take some meds for a short while as I work through this. If I have to-so be it...I know I have to drive. There is no getting around it. Lord willing, I will one day be able to once again drive as needed in winter weather without the fear and dread I feel now.
Related Topics: Freeway Fright: Facing Fears Head-On, 'Healthy People' Get PTSD, Too
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5 Comments:
Hello Aunt Indie. I cant believe how far you have come. love shelly
You were in a car wreck yourself I see. I am he one who asked you for help on what to do with my boyfriend who recently suffered an accident also. You know first hand what complications can come from it. Please please please, if you haven't already, look at my post on your message board titled someting like "Car Wreck Victim Suffering Chronic Pain" at give me some advice. I am so scared for him. I know somehting is not right.
Please help me. I was in a terrible head on collision a year ago...80+ bone fractures and internal injuries. I am permanently disabled now and I am losing my mind, my life, I cannot take this anymore. I am looking everywhere.....entropicepoch@hotmail.com
I can understand the fear you are experiencing. Last week, I was rear ended on Monday (on a freeway in rush hour traffic) and then about 52 hours later, I was rear-ended again while stopped at a stop light (yes, my tail-lights were working both times). Now I watch the rear view mirror when stopped and it sure scares me sometimes.
I was in a horrible car accident 9 months ago and am living with chronic pain. I shattered both feet/heels, fractured my neck, had internal bleeding... It took them 45 min to cut me out of the car, and I was taken by helicoptor to the trauma center. I stayed in the hospital 2weeks, was in a wheelchair almost 5months, and had to have surgery. My freedom and indepedance were taken away as I had to rely on someone else to do EVERYTHING for me. I need 2 more surgeries this year. Now I am dealing with anxiety, depression, chronic pain, dependency on pain medication, withdrawal symptons... does it ever end? Will I ever be pain free? Will I ever be able to walk normally? I always have these questions running through my head, and regret that day last year every waking moment. I am very thankful that my 1 yr old son wasn't in the car with me. Thank god for miracles.
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